Patricio Freire out until November with injured hand

After a highlight-laden run through the Bellator Season 4 Featherweight Tournament, top contender Patricio “Pitbull” Freire will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer before getting a second crack at divisional champ Joe Warren rather than face the decorated grappler in a few weeks at Bellator 47 as originally planned.

According to Freire, a broken thumb and related ligament damage while training for the bout have forced him to withdraw from the July 23 event. The change likely means Warren will go more than a year before putting his belt on the line as he originally won the strap this past September against Joe Soto.

“I will spend six weeks with my hand immobilized, and than at least one month of physical therapy depending on my progression. And then I will be able to get back to training, lightly at first, but the doctor said I could be able to fight by the end of November,” the 23-year old Brazilian explained through Twitter.

In addition to Freire’s health-related status, Warren is also booked for a slot in Bellator’s upcoming bantamweight tournament adding another layer of difficulty to rescheduling the 145ers’ title-fight.

“Pitbull” is 17-1 as a professional with his only career stumble coming against Warren at Bellator 23 where he clearly hurt the current champion early before eventually losing a razor thin Split Decision. He has won three straight since including knockouts of Georgi Karakhanyan and Wilson Reis.